ROUGHLY a third of the way through the Coates Talent League season, and the top teams are starting to separate themselves from the pack.

But which players should you be keeping an eye on in preparation for the AFLW Draft ahead of the 2024 season?

Who's started strongly, which 16-year-olds are having an impact already, and who's battling a long-term injury?

BENDIGO PIONEERS

Season so far: The Pioneers have won one of their first four games, just pipping Murray Bushrangers by one point. They haven't been blown out of the water, with their largest loss a 32-point defeat at the hands of the Tassie Devils.

Top-age watch: AFLW Academy member and skipper Lila Keck has impressed in the midfield and up forward, and will continue to work on her forward craft as the season progresses. Bryde O'Rourke has demonstrated plenty of speed and willingness to move the ball with pace across half-forward, and the well-rounded skills of balanced midfielder Steph Demeo have impressed. Keely Fullerton's speed has caught teams off guard, and her run-and-carry and beautiful left foot have been notable.

Stars of the future: Powerful midfielder Lucia Painter has been explosive from the contest, with a dangerous first few steps, and she makes the right decision with her kicking. Jemmika Douglashails from Mildura, and her instinctive play and ability to read the game sees her one step ahead of her opponents.

Injury ward: Bottom-ager Lexi Gregor is dealing with a long-term back injury, but at 182cm is one to watch going forward.

CALDER CANNONS

Season so far: The Cannons sit fourth by percentage, having won three of their first four games. Their results have oscillated wildly, thumping Murray 71-0 but losing to Oakleigh 85-0 themselves.

Top-age watch: Midfielder and basketballer Kayley Kavanagh has been in the best in all four matches, her ball-winning ability and tenacity holding her in good stead. Mid-sized forward Sarah Grunden has been another consistent performer, finding a lot of the footy and hitting the scoreboard. AFLW Academy member Amy Gaylor has shown her class in the middle and up forward, while skipper Amy Trindade has been steady on the wing and in attack.

Stars of the future: Strong kick Kyla Forbes has impressed in the midfield and is powerful from the clearances. The developing Stephanie Mitchell has caught the eye in her first year in the talent system, as has forward Ava Gerada.

Injury ward: TBC

DANDENONG STINGRAYS

Season so far: Dandenong is currently ninth on the ladder with two wins from five games. Its two losses have come against top-two sides Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges, while the Stingrays' best win was a complete performance against Gippsland Power.

Top-age watch: Three Stingrays, Brooke Smith, Bianca Lyne, and Mikayla Williamson, have been upgraded to VFLW lists already after strong starts to the year. Sophie Butterworth has been the side's main target in attack, kicking eight goals and causing opposition sides headaches.

Stars of the future: New to footy, Elli Symonds has burst onto the scene from an athletics background. Likened to Charlie Rowbottom, she is tall, quick, and fit. Jemma Reynolds, meanwhile, is a clean ball user and her fundamentals have her ahead of the pack.

Injury ward: Midfielder Meg Robertson was making a positive return from a broken wrist before concussion put her back on the sidelines, but she will make a return after the community break.

EASTERN RANGES

Season so far: It's second place for the Ranges, undefeated from their four matches. Only percentage is keeping the Eastern girls from top spot, and their best win was a 75-point thumping of Tassie Devils down in the southern state. 

Top-age watch: Midfielder and AFLW Academy member Laura Stone has had a stunning start to the year, and is starting to attract the attention of opposition teams with her stoppage work and elite decision-making. Small forward Alyssia Pisano has been on fire after her return from a torn ACL, skipper Ava Campbell has been very steady overhead in defence and ruck Jess Vukic is building her form up forward.

Stars of the future: Developing key forward Georgie Brisbane's work rate has impressed, while at the other end of the field, tall back Grace Baba's closing speed has caught out her opponents. Grace Belloni is a key forward who can move into the midfield and has been strong so far.

Injury ward: Top-age ruck Jacinta Hose is in the final stages of her ACL rehab, while fellow top-age midfielder Isla Baldwin's flying pre-season was brought to an abrupt halt due to a shoulder operation. Both are hoping to get back this season.

GEELONG FALCONS

Season so far: The Falcons sit 10th on the ladder with two wins and two losses. Both wins have come against the GWV Rebels, with their best their most recent 13-point victory.

Top-age watch: Captain Chloe Adams has been the standout, she is strong overhead, is an elite kick and offers defensive coverage through the middle. In attack Chantal Mason has shown some nice leading patterns and strong marking and Madeleine Seebeck is a physical defender, her kicking coming out of the back half is a highlight.

Stars of the future: The Falcons boast an exciting bottom-age contingent, led by midfielder Sara Howley who is big ball winner with speed to burn. Mekah Morrissy works hard and has shown plenty out on the wing.  In the ruck Kiara Woods offers athleticism and neat tap work, meanwhile Seisia White is a small forward with plenty of power.

Injury ward: Grace Purcell, younger sister of Melbourne premiership player Olivia, is on the road back from a knee reconstruction after rupturing her ACL in February last year and will return to the field a little later in the year.

GIPPSLAND POWER

Season so far: It's been a tough start for the Power, who traditionally have a smaller talent pool (in raw numbers, not geographically) to draw from than other sides. Gippsland sit last of the teams to have played, losing all three matches.

Top-age watch: Midfielder Amber Schutte has been the Power's best thus far, a dependable ball-winner who's a fierce tackler and plays to her strengths. Gippsland has also had a number of over-agers play, including outside runner Tylah Burn, burst midfielder Indianna Makai (both of whom are also playing VFLW with Casey) and leader and midfielder Alisha Molesworth.

Stars of the future: Forward Ash Centra has been described as a player who "could be anything", such is her raw talent. She's been playing in defence so far to help her development and understanding of the game, with an eye to bring her back up the field later in the season.

Injury ward: No serious injuries to top-age players at Gippsland.

GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS

Season so far: The Rebels are currently eighth on the ladder, breaking even with two wins and two losses. Both losses have come at the hands of the Geelong Falcons, while the side's best win was a 50-point defeat of Gippsland Power.

Top-age watch: Jessica Rentsch, who broke her leg last year, has picked up right where she left off. The Rebels' barometer, Rentsch uses her speed coming off the half-back flank and up to the wing. Meanwhile Lily Jordan is a small forward who already has 11 goals to her name after a mountain of work in the off season.

Stars of the future: A strong ball reader and intercept marker, 16-year-old Millie Lang has been a standout for the side this year. Lang is a player with a deadly left foot and can consistently drill passes of 40m.

Injury ward: Top-ager Olivia Moll has just started running after a long-term ankle issue has kept her off the park, but she should be available later in the Coates League season.

GWS GIANTS ACADEMY

Season so far: The Giants are two wins from three games, only falling to the Tassie Devils in round one, and are currently seventh on the ladder. GWS has also taken part in the NSW winter series.

Top-age watch: Captain Mel Staunton has taken her game to another level with her contest work, while two players new to footy have been shining. Cleo Butterfield comes from touch rugby and boasts genuine x-factor, Megan Mifsud is a soccer player who is powerful at the contest.

Stars of the future: Ashley Patten, who has just been named in the Australian Baseball World Cup squad, is a crafty small forward. And Tamika Rourke has been likened to Georgia Garnett as a high forward, connecting the midfield and forward line.

Injury ward: The Giants don't have any injuries of concern to top-agers, with Mifsud back from a preseason shoulder injury.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 

Season so far: Yet to bag a win after four starts, the Bushrangers are currently 14th on the ladder. Their best performance was in round one where they came within one point of the Bendigo Pioneers. 

Top-age watch: Captain Kloe McElhinney has held up the backline, reading the play well and has great skills, while Vic Country duo Kaylea Kobzan and Paige Duffy have built well into the season, the latter having moved into the midfield to develop further. 

Stars of the future: Molly McLaren has been defying her 2007 birth year thanks to her physicality in the midfield and has become a key part of the team. Holly Egan, sister of Richmond's Grace, is a crafty forward who has also been tested through the middle, and Matilda Lyons has brought great forward pressure on her return from a knee injury. 

Injury ward: Key defender Grace Hay is the Bushrangers' only real injury concern, fracturing her wrist when punching the footy, and will return later in the year. 

NORTHERN KNIGHTS

Season so far: It's been another strong campaign so far from the Knights, winning three from four games to sit third. They opened their season with a 39-point win over Murray Bushrangers, with their sole loss coming against Eastern Ranges. 

Top-age watch: Vic Metro midfielder Ava Jordan (listed at 148cm) has been working on her skills as a small forward, where her cleanliness in the contest works in her favour. Softballer Hannah Scott has the best endurance in the side and has been playing off half-back, while Matilda Fitzgerald's composure has impressed on the other flank. Isabella Caminiti (sister of St Kilda's Anthony) has been strong in a key defensive role, and is starting to expand her attacking skills. Ruck Lauren Jatczak has also been plying her trade with Darebin.

Stars of the future: Taller midfielder Zoe Hargreaves has been very strong on the inside for the Knights, complemented nicely by Holly Ridewood on the wing. Ridewood has also been pushed to half-back at times, where her two-way running and powerful kick has come to the fore. Suwindi Buckley is another inside midfielder whose tackle pressure has impressed.

Injury ward: A relatively clean bill of health at the Knights.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

Season so far: The Chargers are sitting top of the ladder, undefeated after four matches with an incredibly healthy percentage of 443. Their biggest win was a thumping 85-point victory over Calder Cannons.

Top-age watch: Captain Lara Hausegger has started the season strongly off the half-back flank, capable of playing on both talls and smalls and making great decisions with ball in hand. Small forward Maiya Stobie has been hitting the scoreboard with a vengeance, and her craft has caught opponents off-guard. The elite running and long kicking of winger Amy Cariss-Brett has been key. Possible Melbourne father-daughter Jemma Rigoni has been in strong VFLW form with Casey, playing on the wing.

Stars of the future: The Chargers are bottom-heavy this year, with half of their team last match aged 16 or 17. Sienna Tallariti is settling at half-back where her accurate kicking has held her in good stead, on-baller and state hockey player Maggie Mahony's contested game and disposal numbers have been strong, and Sarah Poustie's elite endurance in the midfield has been key. Developing forward Emma McDonald is building nicely after swapping basketball for footy last year, and high half-forward Abbey Vicino has been a key link between the arcs. 

Injury ward: A number of top-agers are coming back from knee reconstructions, including snowboarder Mia Clift, and key defenders Lucy Cronin and Rianna Thiele, the latter of whom is also training with Collingwood VFLW.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

Season so far: Sandringham is yet to win a game from four starts, but came within five-points of the third-placed Northern Knights, and as a result sit 13th on the ladder.

Top-age watch: As a key defender Annabelle Embelton has been disciplined and hard to beat in the one-on-one, as has intercept marker Jasmine Shepherd. Georgia Foran has moved full time to the Southern Saints VFLW program, while Ruby Dale has been spending time with Port Melbourne.

Stars of the future: Tall, versatile midfielder Daisy Flockhart was best on ground in round one. Scout Howden is an elite kick who has been stationed out on the wing, and Judie Goldman is an inside midfielder who has built nicely into the season with her quick hands and good decision-making.

Injury ward: Co-captain Maddison Torpey broke her finger on her non-dominant hand, requiring surgery, and is eyeing a return later in the year. Jess Thomas dislocated her knee in a practise match while on return from the same injury so doesn't currently have a timeline to get back to the field.

SYDNEY SWANS ACADEMY 

Season so far: The Swans have only played two games in the Coates League so far, but have won both including a 69-point victory over the Murray Bushrangers to sit sixth on the ladder. Sydney has also taken part in the NSW winter series. 

Top-age watch: Olivia Morris and Marnie Robinson have been balancing their Sydney Academy and AFL Academy schedules with aplomb, showing plenty on the field as has Newcastle-based Holly Cooper who offers speed and power in the midfield. New to footy, Gabby Eaton has developed as a key defender, enjoying the contact of footy compared to her netball background. 

Stars of the future: The Swans' underagers were the very first intake of Girls at the Academy, meaning they have been footy-focused since joining the program as 12-year-olds. In an even group, former touch footballer Emma Juneja has been strong on the wing while Taylor Smith has been reliable in front of goal. 

Injury ward: Generally healthy, the only injury of note is to underage father-daughter prospect Memphis Kirk, daughter of Brett, who injured her knee earlier in the year but is on track to return to the Academy for her top-age year. 

TASSIE DEVILS

Season so far: The Devils have settled nicely into the season with three wins from their four matches. Their biggest win was a 32-point victory over Bendigo at Arden Street, while the Ranges were comprehensive victors over the Devils, saluting by 75 points.

Top-age watch: Forward duo Grace White and Georgia Clark (AFLW Academy member) have been a handful, White consistently kicking multiple goals and Clark finding plenty of the footy while hitting the scoreboard. Jasmyn Thompson's run and carry has been important on the wing and off half-back, while 19-year-old midfielder Candice Belbin has found plenty of the footy and been strong on the inside.

Stars of the future: Half-back Mackenzie Williams reads the play beautifully and has strong hands overhead, and speedy midfielder Priya Bowering has caught the eye despite having only turned 16 in February.

Injury ward: AFLW Academy member Brooke Barwick tore her ACL in February, and is out for the year.

WESTERN JETS

Season so far: The Jets are winless from their three matches, but their losing margins of 16, 17 and 16 mean they haven't been blown off the park. Sit 12th of 15 sides who have played.

Top-age watch: Skipper and AFLW Academy member Kiera Whiley has been plying her wares in a newish inside midfield role, having previously played wing and centre half-back. Forward Tamara Henry has been playing a higher forward role in the absence of Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (see below), and her speed, overhead strength and power have been impressive.

Stars of the future: Sierra Grieves and Lou-Lou Field have been in various Jets program since they were 13, and will be turning 17 this year. Forward Grieves has been gradually increasing her fitness time, and is a dead-eye around goal, while Field has overcome last year's ankle issues to star at half-back, where her left foot catches the eye.

Injury ward: AFLW Academy member Weston-Turner is facing two months on the sidelines after the dynamic forward broke her wrist.

YET TO PLAY:

Northern Territory, Brisbane Academy, Gold Coast Academy – will play three games each in late May-June